Grant to add beds at Salvation Army shelter
At a time when shelters are packed and the number of people living on local streets is on the rise, every spare bed makes a difference.
This year, thanks to a grant from a local philanthropic group, Salvation Army of Southern Nevada’s shelter in the homeless corridor will add 20 extra beds to its stock.
The Salvation Army broke ground Thursday on a $325,000 renovation project at its Owens Avenue campus, near Main Street, that also includes a new roof and other improvements to its 12,500-square-foot emergency overnight shelter and medical clinic.
Without the grant from Nevada Women’s Philanthropy — an organization that raises money through member donations to address local needs — “we would face losing this building,” said Major Robert Lloyd, Clark County Coordinator for the Salvation Army.
After the renovations, the shelter will be able to house 130 people.
Construction is expected to be complete by April.
The number of people living on the streets in and around the homeless corridor increased by 230 percent, from 377 to 1,245, between 2009 and 2011, according to a homeless census completed last year.
The homeless corridor is bordered by Owens Avenue, A Street, Washington Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.
Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.